A planning application has been submitted to build new homes on Stockport's Green Belt.

The scheme by Wain Estates could see 68 new homes built in the area of Pennington's Stables and Dairyground Farm, half of which would be classed as affordable housing.

A website launched by the company to gather feedback on the plan states: 'The vision for the site is to transform an existing unneighbourly equestrian use and commercial site, much of which is within a dilapidated condition, to deliver an attractive, high-quality residential development in an edge of settlement location.'

The proposed development is to the north of Bramhall Golf Club and includes new public open space, landscaping and access for cars from Lytham Drive, and is made up of a mix of two-to-five-bedroom homes.

The site is brownfield land to the east of Lytham Drive, and is located next to the Bramhall boundary, within an area designated as green belt.

The application states that 'the benefits of the proposed development would clearly outweigh any harm to the Green Belt.'

It adds that the equestrian facility is a lifestyle business for the owners who are making plans to retire, and that the site is ' at the end of its economic life.'

Building on Green Belt land is a controversial issue in Stockport, after the council adopted a brownfield-first approach to meet the borough's housing requirements.

A plan for the proposed site (Image - Wain Estates)

Opposition councillors have criticised the town hall for not having a local plan for housing.

The council is currently in the process of creating a local plan, which is due to be published next year.

Earlier this year, the Planning Inspector granted permission to build hundreds of homes on Mirrlees Fields in Hazel Grove, despite the council initially rejecting the application.

If the plan for new homes in Bramhall is approved, it's expected to pump an extra £1.7 million into the economy, much of which will be spent in local businesses.

The homes would also help to ease pressure on Stockport's housing market, which is suffering from a shortage of homes and growing demand.

A consultation with residents took place which saw concerns shared about an increase in traffic, but others welcoming development of the area.

One resident said: "Lytham Drive is not built as a major throughfare to access 60 homes with two car per family that is over minimum of an extra 300 cars per day including visitors and deliveries etc.

"One of the things that has attracted many people to this estate is the surrounding greenery. I'm assuming that a lot of this would be gone and houses put in its place."

Another added: "The site is currently an eyesore and appears to be underutilised so fresh investment for a residential development would be welcomed."

Pennington's Stables was contacted for comment.

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